Core Stability Training in Young Adults With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Effects of Core Stability Training on Functional Recovery in Young Adults With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Chronic non-specific low back pain is common among young adults and can lead to persistent pain, reduced physical function, decreased muscle strength, and impaired balance, affecting daily activities and quality of life. Core stability exercises are widely used in rehabilitation programs for low back pain, but the effectiveness of Swiss ball-based core stability training in young adults with chronic non-specific low back pain remains unclear.

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Swiss ball-based core stability training can reduce pain and improve functional recovery in young men with chronic non-specific low back pain compared with conventional mat-based lumbar muscle exercises. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Swiss ball core stability training group or a mat-based lumbar muscle training group and will complete a 6-week exercise intervention program.

The study will evaluate changes in pain intensity, disability related to low back pain, lumbar muscle strength, and dynamic balance ability. The study hypothesizes that Swiss ball-based core stability training will produce greater improvements in pain relief, physical function, muscle strength, and balance than conventional mat-based lumbar muscle exercises.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male participants aged 18 to 25 years.
• Diagnosis of chronic non-specific low back pain characterized by pain or discomfort located between the lower rib margin and the gluteal folds, with or without lower limb pain.
• No signs of nerve root compression and a negative straight leg raise test.
• No identifiable specific pathological or anatomical cause of low back pain.
• Baseline pain intensity score greater than 2 and less than 9 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
• Duration of low back pain symptoms longer than 12 weeks.
• No treatment for low back pain received within the previous month.
• Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Failure to meet the diagnostic criteria for chronic non-specific low back pain.
• History of spinal trauma or spinal surgery.
• Presence of severe cardiovascular diseases, such as uncontrolled hypertension.
• Presence of severe metabolic diseases, such as gout.
• Presence of severe infectious diseases, such as pneumonia.
• Diagnosed structural spinal disorders, including lumbar disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, or other identifiable pathological anatomical abnormalities.
• Any medical condition that would prevent safe participation in the exercise intervention as determined by the investigators.